UNAIDS: Investing in local production of medicines is a priority

Expanding access to HIV treatment has profound benefits, not only for individual recipients and their families but for economies as a whole, given the increased productivity, greater longevity and lower long-term health expenditure.

15 Oct 2014

If the ambitious but realistic global goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is to become a reality, HIV prevention, testing, treatment and counselling services must be scaled up rapidly. A crucial element of this is ensuring sustainable supplies of high-quality medicines in the most affected countries.

A high-level meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 14 October explored how countries can improve access to medicines and develop their domestic production, with the help of public and private investment.

Last year, thousands of activists in 261 cities of 92 countries joined arms to promote policies and practices that centre solidarity, reduce harm and protect human rights. The 2020 Global Day of Action is all about accelerating momentum for reform. And, to do so, we need each other.

nternational Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.